Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)

I just love Bergamot oil. When I smell it, I immediately smile and feel more at peace in myself and with the world. It brings up comforting images: cosy kitchens in winter with the snow falling and a hot cup of earl grey tea, early-morning breakfast with marmalade toast, or hot nights in Cyprus eating preserved bergamot rind while sipping Ouzo. I could go on

THE FACTS
Bergamot is expressed from the rind of the fruit, which grows on a small tree. It's actually a cross between Citrus limetta and Citrus sinensis. It's a member of the Rutacea or "citrus" family and very beloved throughout Italy and the Mediterranean. Its fragrance is warm, comforting and reminds many people of Earl Grey tea!  That's because bergamot essence combined with black tea is in fact what gives Earl Grey that distinctive aroma and flavour. 

AROMA
The aroma of Bergamot essential oil is both sweet and bitter with a touch of dark floral at the same time. Some distillations can come across a bit powdery as well. It's very rare that I work with someone who doesn't like the smell of bergamot! 

MAIN THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES
One of the more well documented uses of bergamot is its positive effect on the nervous system – helping to uplift depressed feelings soothe anxiety and nervous tension. 
According to research by Saiyudthong and Mekseepralard, bergamot has effects similar to diazepam. It also helps with stress-related conditions in general, skin complaints, digestive complaints, respirator complaints and urinary system related issues. 
 
A LITTLE BIT OF CHEMISTRY
Monoterpenes – 62.80%, Esters – 27.46%, 
 
Chemist E. Joy Bowles describes Monoterpenes as having a drying and dissolving effect. This would help to explain why bergamot respiratory complaints as it would dry out the mucus. Esters have a sedative, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, all of which would prove useful for different aspects of an over-stimulated nervous system. 
 
CONTRAINDICATIONS
This oil is photo-toxic, meaning that when applied to the skin and put under UV light from the sun or a tanning bed, it can cause burns and blisters to form. It's important to dilute essential oils in a vegetable carrier such as coconut or grapeseed before applying to the skin.  A maximum dermal limit of 0.4% dilution must be observed with Bergamot. If not, you have to avoid direct sun and UV beds for a minimum of 12 hours.
 
TIP: It is possible to use "bergepten free"bergamot, in which case photo-toxicity will not be an issue.
 
BLEND EXPERIMENTS
To help you get a feel for bergamot, try a couple of these blend experiments. You can put a drop of each oil on a tissue or 1 drop of oil per 5ml. So, say you have 2 drops, that's 10ml carrier oil (for example grapeseed oil). This is a safe dilution to work with for most people. 

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) + Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
This combination brings out the sweetness of the lavender and the richness of the bergamot. I would love to use this combination in a bath soak or in a body lotion, especially when feeling emotionally fragile. It’s so comforting. ​

Directions: 1 drop of each on a tissue, waived in front of your nose.
OR:

• 10ml grapeseed oil
• 1 drop bergamot
• 1 drop lavender 

TIP: You could then use this in a bath, on your skin after a shower or blended 50/50 with a plain hand cream.

Bergamot + Lavender + Benzoin (Styrax benzoin)
It's such a heavenly smell, adding even more richness and depth. Every time I make this blend, I literally want someone to massage me with it immediately. It's so comforting to people recovering from burnout, nervous tension, depression. 

Directions: 1 drop of each on a tissue, waived in front of your nose.
OR:

• 15ml grapeseed oil
• 1 drop bergamot

• 1 drop lavender 
• 2 drops benzoin

TIP: You could then use this in a bath, on your skin after a shower or blended 50/50 with a plain hand cream.

Bergamot + Lavander + SBenzoin + Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
This is also a very nice combination – but the geranium takes it to a different place than the previous blends, giving it a more medicinal quality. If the previous blends were focusing on relaxation and the nervous system, this has now brought the endocrine system into the picture more strongly. I think this combination would be nice with an Epsom salt bath as a once a month cleanse. 

Directions: 1 drop of each on a tissue, waived in front of your nose.
OR:

• 20 ml grapeseed oil
• 1 drop bergamot
• 1 drop lavender 
• 1 drop benzoin
• 1 drop geranium

TIP: You could then use this in a bath, on your skin after a shower or blended 50/50 with a plain hand cream. 

FOR FUN!
I found this very cool recipe from Lorraine Elliot over at  "Not Quite Nigella"  for a “London Fog” tea cake, using Earl Grey.  I would be really interested to add a teaspoon of bergamot hydrosol to the cream topping, just to see how that works out!

​Hope you enjoyed working with Bergamot today, and happy sniffing!